What is the primary objective of a military defense?

The primary objective of a military defense is to regain initiative and territory. In military strategy, defense is not merely about stopping an enemy's advance; it also involves preparing to counterattack when the moment is right. By successfully defending against an adversarial force, a military can often create opportunities to regain lost ground or even take back territory that may have been occupied.

This approach recognizes that a strong defensive stance can stabilize a situation, allowing for strategic decisions that lead to offensive actions when advantageous. Regaining initiative is crucial as it shifts the momentum of military operations. It allows forces to dictate the terms of engagement and can lead to the recapture of lost areas, thereby enhancing overall strategic objectives.

Preserving troop strength and sustaining morale are important, but they serve more as supporting objectives within a broader strategy that ultimately aims to regain control and initiative on the battlefield. Launching a continuous offensive is not typically a primary objective of defense since the focus is on protecting and holding ground before planning counteroffensive actions.